Kelowna Councillor Ron Cannansa国际传媒檚 push to take the borrowing of $241 million for future recreation to public referendum fell flat at Monday regular meeting.

The loan will help pay for redevelopment of the Parkinson Recreation Centre as well as the Glenmore and Mission activity centres and Rutland Recreation Park.

sa国际传媒淭his is the largest capital project the city has ever undertaken for borrowing, why would you recommend not going to a public referendum rather than the alternative approval method (AAP),sa国际传媒� he asked staff.

The cost to conduct an AAP is approximately $2,500 compared to $150,000-$250,000 for a referendum, according to staff.

sa国际传媒淐ouncil advanced the direction to staff in our previous meeting to proceed with an AAP, a little surprised wesa国际传媒檙e having debate at this stage,sa国际传媒� said Doug Gilchrist, city manager.

Cannan voted against an AAP at that meeting which took place last month.

READ MORE: Kelowna council eager to move forward with Parkinson Recreation Centre replacement

sa国际传媒淚sa国际传媒檓 not against redeveloping Parkinson,sa国际传媒� added Cannan. sa国际传媒淲e need to live within our means. Thatsa国际传媒檚 what Isa国际传媒檓 hearing from the public.sa国际传媒�

Cannan also said he felt there was a lack of information from staff.

sa国际传媒淚 donsa国际传媒檛 like how itsa国际传媒檚 being proposed. If you want to railroad it through go ahead.sa国际传媒�

Councillors Gord Lovegrove and Charlie Hodge also voiced concerns about an AAP versus a referendum, however, they did vote in favour with most of council in giving consideration to a loan authorization bylaw to borrow the $241 million.

Cannan was the only one opposed.

Staff told council that the AAP would require 12,160 signatures from Kelowna residents opposed to borrowing the money.

If that happened council would have a decision to make, explained Stephen Flemming, city clerk.

sa国际传媒淵ou could not adopt the bylaw. Your options would be to send it to referendum or to come up with a different funding strategy.sa国际传媒�

The AAP is expected to be conducted in late August to early September.

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gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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